Tussendoor

Tussendoor is a Dutch adverb meaning “in the meantime” or “in the interval between tasks or events.” It describes an action that occurs during a brief pause or while something else is happening, rather than being the main activity.

Etymology and form: The word is a compound of tussen (between) and door (through), traditionally conveying doing something through the gaps. It is written as a single word, tussendoor, and is used in both everyday speech and formal writing.

Usage and nuance: Tussendoor denotes short, opportunistic activity during a pause or between tasks. It emphasizes the temporary nature of the action, rather than a long or primary endeavor. Common equivalents include ondertussen and in de tussentijd, though those forms can carry slightly different nuance, often signaling a longer or more sequential interval.

Examples:

- Tussendoor lees ik nog een hoofdstuk.

- Ze praat tussendoor even met haar collega terwijl ze andere taken doet.

- Hij repeteert tussendoor zijn toespraak tijdens de pauze.

Related terms: The related noun tussendoortje refers to a snack between meals, unrelated to the adverbial use of tussendoor. Another overlapping expression is ondertussen, used for “in the meantime” with a broader sense of simultaneous events.

In summary, tussendoor is a concise Dutch term for performing a small task during a brief interlude, linking actions that occur in-between primary activities.